The Parliamentary Library made a unique and rare acquisition which featured on the front page of The Canberra Times, on this day in 1983.
"A limited edition, 13-volume dictionary set, leather bound and gold blocked", was purchased from the Australian National Gallery for the value of $2500 (which is equivalent to $8700 today).
The gallery made a 30 per cent profit from the sale.
Parliamentary librarian at the time Hillas MacLean said the purchase was intended to highlight "the accuracy of usage, of how words can clarify and obscure".
He said it would prove to be "very important in parliament".
However, some may doubt the truth of that sentiment in hindsight.
In 1979, Oxford University Press published 200 sets of the dictionaries to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the institution.
Only six sets have been circulated throughout Australia.
With 14 million words, the set would certainly make more than light reading.
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